SMALL TALK

December 2016

Yes, we’re nearing the end of 2016, but did you know that we’ve already begun a new liturgical year? It’s Year A, when most of the gospel lessons will come from Matthew.

I like to think of the gospels as portraits rather than photos of Jesus’ life. Portraits allow for color and texture, shading and dimension from a particular artist’s point of view. The school of Matthew’s point of view is framed within the experience and expectation of Judaism. Matthew wants to explain to Jews why they should recognize Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.

To do that, Matthew quotes the Hebrew scripture, especially the prophets, often. Matthew employs imagery that harkens back to the stories of Israel’s heroes. There’s a lot of dreaming early on in Matthew, much like the great dreams of Jacob, Joseph, Daniel, and others. Matthew traces Jesus’ genealogy to Abraham, the first Hebrew.

Magi from the East (Abraham’s home territory) visit Herod the Great before they find Jesus. Herod plots to kill the infant. Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt and only after Herod dies do they go to Nazareth, an echo of Moses and Israel traveling to the Promised Land.

That is very different from Luke, the Year C gospel we’ve just finished. Luke wants to convince a diverse Greco-Roman audience that Jesus is the Christ, and sets about doing so by writing “an orderly account.”  Luke’s genealogy of Jesus goes all the way to Adam, reminding readers that Jesus is for everyone, not only for Israel. We don’t get dreams in Luke. There are no Magi and Herod doesn’t try to kill off a future King of the Jews. Other than going in Bethlehem for the census, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus seem to live in Nazareth all along.

These portraits are different. They should be! Neither is trying to report history. There is no reporter embedded in Bethlehem, Nazareth, or anywhere else following Jesus. There is only the testimony of faith seen through different points of view.

Both Matthew and Luke were written at least 40 years after Jesus’ life. They were written by people who could not have known Jesus in the flesh. They know him in spirit, through the sacred stories told to them by others.

This is a pretty impressive and wondrous thing – keeping a story alive because it brings hope, love, joy, and peace to individuals and to a world in need of all those gifts. That’s the blessing of Advent.

Come and take a look at the portrait again.

Faithfully,
Jill

Mission and Justice

November 2016

PACC’s Mission and Justice Ministry is always looking for new volunteers. Several activities below need a coordinator. Please talk with Mike or Betty Rich.

Neighbors In Need Offering

Thanks to all who generously gave more than $1,100.00 to this important UCC offering.

Arlington Food Pantry – Sunday, Nov 6

We will be collecting non-perishable food items and household goods for the Arlington Food Pantry (AFP). For a list of recommended and high need items visit http://arlingtonfoodpantry.org. For distribution dates or to learn how to register to receive food see: arlingtonfoodpantry.org. We are also looking for regular or occasional volunteers to deliver to the AFP. Info? Interested? Speak with Betty Rich.

Community Supper for the Homeless

See details elsewhere in this newsletter.

MACUCC

Check out “Conference Buzz” and the “Changing Our World” menu at the Mass. Conference website http://www.macucc.org/ or join PACC’s Mission & Justice email distribution list for the latest in mission and justice related news.

Thanksgiving Outreach for Homeless Veterans – Nov 20

We will collect gift cards for the New England Center for Homeless Veterans. Suggested gift cards include: Amex; Visa; supermarkets; major pharmacies and major retailers. To participate, please give gift cards to Josh Young by Sunday, November 20.

Adopt-A-Family – Early Dec

Organized by the Town of Arlington, gifts go to Arlington families in need. “Wish lists” for individual family members and sign up will be in Parish Hall later in November. Deliver new wrapped gifts to church in early December—exact date to be announced. You may also contribute by making donations payable to PACC with Adopt-A-Family on the memo line.

City Mission Society Christmas Shop – Dec 11

Bring new unwrapped gifts to church by Sunday, December 11th. Gifts may be left under the Christmas Tree. Gift Suggestions: Winter coats, sweaters and sweatshirts (large sizes especially); hats, mittens, gloves and scarves; socks and underwear; blankets; backpacks; toys, games, and books for all ages; Boston area store gift cards. For more information see: https://citymissionboston.org/engage/christmas-shop/.

UCC Christmas Fund

The Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund: Remembering Those who Serve Our Church

Administered by the UCC Pensions Boards, the Christmas Fund helps provide pension and health premium supplementation to lower-income retired church workers, emergency assistance to clergy or lay church employees in need, as well as Christmas “Thank You” gift checks to hundreds of annuitants. Donations may be made using the blue pew envelopes or by check payable to PACC with “UCC Christmas Fund” on the memo line.

Germaine Lawrence/Youth Villages – Dec

We will also be collecting gifts for 1–2 girls at the Germaine Lawrence/Youth Villages School around the corner from PACC. Details to follow.

Annual Spending Meeting

Toward the end of each year, dedicated PACCers interested in directing our Mission and Justice, Christian Outreach and Hayes Fund donations gather to choose recipients and set the amount of our donations. Please log in to the Doodle poll link http://doodle.com/poll/q6gdknk4csy4n4bb or let us know when you can attend.

Thanks for your generosity, interest and participation.

Wreaths for Sale

November 6-27, 2016

Orders starting Sunday, November 6th and running through Sunday, November 27th. Pick up will be on Sunday, December 4th in the Fellowship Room after the service. PACC receives 50% of the proceeds.

Look for order forms in the Narthex as well as Parish Hall (to be announced) as well as at our Holiday Fair and return them to Betty Rich with a check made out to PACC with “Wreaths” in the memo line. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.

 

Hanging of the Greens

November 26, 2016

Please join us on Saturday, November 26, at 9:00 am as we decorate the church for Advent. This traditional time of work and fellowship is the perfect way to begin the holiday season. Please join us.

Women’s Guild

November 17, 2016

The Women’s Guild meets November 17 at 11:30 am. We look forward to this special event. Jan Roberts-Breslin, Graduate Dean and Professor at Emerson College, will share her experiences and photos from her three teaching trips to Beijing. Bring a bag lunch; dessert and beverages will be provided. All women in the church are invited – don’t miss this special program!

Sunset Service

November 15, 2016

Meeting at 6:30 pm on November 15 in the Fellowship Room, all will enjoy a simple meal during which we hear a word from the Bible and talk about it. There’s singing and praying and it’s for all ages. Please RSVP to office@pacc-ucc.org or 781-643-8680 by November 13.

Sarah’s Circle

November 2016

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the Fair, Sarah’s Circle will create its monthly oasis upstairs in the Fireplace Room, Saturday, November 12 from 10 am – noon (Meditation begins at 9:30 am). This month’s book is: An Open Heart: Practicing Compassion in Everyday Life by the Dalai Lama. Contact Merrith Sabo-Jones for more info.

Christian Education

November 2016

Sunday school

In November we’ll be talking and learning about Daniel, Jeremiah, and the Israelites returning to Jerusalem and rebuilding the temple. Calendars are available in the narthex with the stories planned for each week and suggestions for activities and discussion at home.

On November 27, we’ll join together as one group for our annual Advent workshop during Sunday school. We’ll learn about Advent through stories and crafts and will plant narcissus bulbs to take home.

Materials for celebrating Advent at home, for both children and adults, will be available on the table in the narthex on November 27 and will also be sent home with Sunday school families.

Youth Group

It’s time for PACC’s annual Holiday Fair! The youth group traditionally helps by serving at the lasagna dinner and pie shop on Friday, November 11. The pie shop starts at 6 and the lasagna dinner starts at 5:30, but we serve Fair workers first at 5. We’ll have two shifts of servers for the dinner, from 4-­‐6 and 6-­‐8. The first shift involves set up and serving and the second shift involves serving and clean up. We’ll serve dinner for all helpers. Please let me know when you’re available to help for the dinner. If you’d like to work in the pie shop, just let me know when you’re available to help between 6 and 8 and I’ll pass the names along to Katie Colello, pie shop organizer.

The evening youth group (seventh grade and up) will also meet on Saturday, November 19 at PACC with the youth group from North Prospect Union UCC in Medford. We’ll meet at PACC from 6-­‐8 for pizza and pies. We’ll be making apple pies to share with members of our congregation who may find it more difficult to get to church.

Looking ahead

Our Christmas pageant will be on December 11 during the worship service. Our one and only rehearsal with everyone will be on December 10 at 9:30 in the sanctuary.

Small Talk

November 2016

“When in the course of human events…” is one of the most well-known opening phrases in any piece of writing. For over 240 years, the Declaration of Independence has been revered as a beacon of justice, hope, and freedom.

As citizens of the United States, we have the right and privilege, indeed the responsibility, of choosing our representatives and leaders. We get to vote.

Some of you may vote in the Parish Hall right here at PACC. Someone recently asked me how that could be – didn’t that violate the separation of church and state? No, I don’t believe it does. Neither does having a U.S. flag in the Narthex. Both certainly are political, but they are not partisan, and that’s the difference.

The phrase, ‘separation of church and state’ is not in Declaration of Independence. It’s not in the U.S. Constitution either. It appears in a letter written by Thomas Jefferson in 1802. In that letter, Mr. Jefferson comments on the First Amendment to the Constitution. That Amendment prevents the imposition of a state religion and it means that one’s faith doesn’t qualify nor disqualify a person from public service. All of that is good. All of that is a measure of living in a just and free society.

Men and women of faith have lived and died ensuring that you and I can go to the polls and express our preferences freely. I pray that you will embrace and exercise this right by voting on November 8th.

Faithfully,
Jill

Mission and Justice

September 2016

School Supply Collection

Our drive to collect school supplies for homeless children in Massachusetts through the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless was very successful! We collected 33 backpacks and many bags loaded with supplies. Thank you to all who participated for your generosity in helping students struggling with homelessness have a better start to the school year!

Arlington Food Pantry (AFP)

We will be collecting non-perishable food items and household goods on Sunday, September 4. For a list of recommended items and for “How to Register to Receive Food from the Arlington Food Pantry” visit www.facebook.com/foodpantryarlington or arlingtonfoodpantry.org.  We are also looking for regular or occasional volunteers to deliver to the AFP. Talk to Kate Lindheim, Lauren Evans or Mike Rich.

Community Supper, September 26

We will provide the meal for Monday, September 26.  Let’s make it together!  We’ll gather in the kitchen at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 25 to make the main dish, salad, and dessert together.  If you’d like to help, please let me know by Tuesday, September 20 and I’ll give you an ingredient to bring.  If you’d like to help, but can’t join us to cook on the 25th, let Kate know if you’d like to provide the drinks, bread, or half and half. Thank you!

Neighbors in Need (NIN) Offering: October 2

The NIN offering, which we will receive on October 2, is a special UCC mission offering that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the U.S.   Although it will be dedicated during the worship service on October 2, we will be happy to receive donations through the month.  Donations can be made to PACC with “Neighbors in Need” in the memo line or online at www.ucc.org/nin/.